For everyone interested in the work of Britain's Parliament; the US Congress; the European Parliament and the French Parlement.
Discuss Practice, Procedure, History and current issues.

Washminster

Washminster

Thursday, 9 February 2012

The States

The Federal Government gets a lot of international coverage. Congress is worth following (as I write this I am listening in to C-SPAN on my computer - http://www.c-span.org/Live-Video/C-SPAN/) & this blog has one of its objectives to discuss practice and procedure in the Federal legislature. The Presidency (and every four years the election process) dominate world news. Even the Supreme Court is regularly mentioned in news and fiction.

But there is more to the USA than the Federal Government. The 'United States' is just that - a nation crafted of the States which created it. In Britain, the Scottish Parliament; the National Assembly for Wales; the Northern Ireland Assembly; and local councils are the creation of the Westminster Parliament. They derive their powers from Westminster - and could be abolished by it. However in the USA it is the States who are the source of Federal authority. The Constitution protects that power. So following what is happening in the 50 individual states is important for a true understanding of 'America'.

About Me

An experienced lecturer, tutor & researcher with practical experience of working in the UK and European Parliaments.
I have a keen academic and practical interest in the workings of both the UK Parliament and the US Congress.
Over the years I have broadcast on both UK & US Politics for BBC local radio stations.